Heat only boiler to combi upgrade

[Riley]

I know I’m playing devil‘s advocate but what’s the point in buying a house with two bathrooms if you’re never going to use them both you might as well have bought somewhere smaller, I know that’s not the point in question but you seem to be trying to use every argument to justify a combi boiler when we are giving you the honest opinion that it’s not the best answer for your property. I realise your mate is giving you a good deal on it but don’t undersell your home for the sake of saving a few quid as you may find you’ll be ripping it all out and changing it in the future

 

[ash121]

I know I’m playing devil‘s advocate but what’s the point in buying a house with two bathrooms if you’re never going to use them both you might as well have bought somewhere smaller, I know that’s not the point in question but you seem to be trying to use every argument to justify a combi boiler when we are giving you the honest opinion that it’s not the best answer for your property. I realise your mate is giving you a good deal on it but don’t undersell your home for the sake of saving a few quid as you may find you’ll be ripping it all out and changing it in the future

I totally see your point, in the future we are planning on converting the loft so wouldn't want any tanks, i presume there are tanks in the loft? Is there a solution/setup where i just have the cylinder and boiler?

 

[Riley]

Yes that’s exactly the one we have been telling you about 😉

 

[Riley]

Seal your heating system - f&e tank goes
Install an unvented cylinder - cold water storage tank goes

 

[ash121]

Seal your heating system - f&e tank goes
Install an unvented cylinder - cold water storage tank goes

Ah ok, can you explain further when you say seal the heating system, what's needed to do that?

So i can get rid of both tanks in the loft? And get an unvented cylinder?

Can you recommend an unvented cylinder and boiler?

Is there alot of alterations to the pipe work to do this? Any idea of costs?

What's the maintenance compared to a combi?

 

[Millsy 82]

Its one bath and a separate electric shower in another room but definitely won't be used at the same time. Maybe on the odd rare occasion.

30-35kw vs going for the 40kw will there be any advantages?

In my opinion unless you are going to be trying to run 2 taps at a time most people wouldnt notice they are getting 13/14ltrs a min compared to 16. Yes your bath may take longer to run by 2/3 minutes but every time you use a basin etc you wont be using it to it's full potential.

As you have said you are looking to extend my advice would be to go down the unvented cylinder route. Gets rid of you tanks in the loft gives you the best hot water.

 

[ash121]

Im swaying to go with an unvented cylinder, this is new territory for me? I didn't know i could remove the tanks in the loft

Can you recommend a cylinder? What size do i go for? What brand? Whats the difference between direct and indirect?

 

[Millsy 82]

Im swaying to go with an unvented cylinder, this is new territory for me? I didn't know i could remove the tanks in the loft

Can you recommend a cylinder? What size do i go for? What brand? Whats the difference between direct and indirect?

Get a few quotes and they will advise you. You need someone who holds qualifications in both gas boilers and unvented cylinders.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Get a few quotes and they will advise you. You need someone who holds qualifications in both gas boilers and unvented cylinders.

As above. Good words spoken.

 

[Riley]

Do your research as well how an unvented cylinder works Unvented Cylinders explained

 

[ash121]

Guys hate to say this, but appreciate all the advice, going with the unvented option will cost me considerably more, so will be going with the combi.

Just read this review on screwfix on the vogue c32 which is reassuring

Ive had this boiler installed just about 3 months now and couldnt be happier with it.
Its extremely capable and very functional considering the cheaper price tag it comes with.
It looks very modern which is exactly what we wanted and is very user friendly with its colour display and easy controls.
It has many useful energy saving functions like its ability to modulate higher and have a pre-heat function to always keep the water hot for your demands, saving on wasted water.
If installed with the approved filter aswell you get an extended warranty of 10 years which is really good. Obviously you have to have it serviced every year to maintain it aswell.
We have recently installed a new bathroom suite and built a wetroom both with VERY high flow demanding taps and shower heads.
The boiler is more than comfortable in keeping up with both flow demand and evenly maintaining water temperature.
Overall i would say this is a great boiler with many perks and is fit for any 3/4 bed house with 1 or 2 bathrooms. "

 

[Riley]

But it won’t be capable if your mains isn’t up to it. And I hate to say it but that last sentence about serving a house with 2 bathrooms makes me think it’s someone from Ideal that’s posted it.

 

[Riley]

Actually re-reading it I’d say definitely someone selling them has written that

 

[Harvest Fields]

As above the last sentence sounds like it written by someone that isn’t a genuine home owner looking to upgrade a system.

 

[ash121]

Is there any way i can test the mains flow myself?

 

[Brambles]

Yes, buy a flow (weir) gauge from screwfix - about £15

You could write a review too after you have used it!

 

[ash121]

Great, so if its over 16 litres per min go for the combi?

 

[Riley]

Get a container you know he volume of and fill it from an outside tap ideally and time it.

 

[Riley]

Ha ha buddy you are on a professional/diy plumbing site I don’t think any of the guys here are going to say that the combi is the way to go

 

[Brambles]

I would say that to get the full dhw output at the boiler (40kw) you would probly need nearer 19 litres/minute at the mains outlet. If you are getting a lower flow look at the 32kw version or consider adding a pumped accumulator

 

[Millsy 82]

I'm smelling DIY gas work about to take place.

1st of all a mate was going to sell him a 40kw boiler cheaper than anyone else could ever get one now looking at screwfix to buy a boiler.

Had a person lined up to convert from cylinder to combi for £600!

I'm out 😎

 

[ash121]

Lol i was looking for reviews on the boiler in question no harm in doing that! How have you come to that conclusion by me just posting a review that i found on screwfix if it was DIY i wouldn't have raised the point!

Thanks for your input thus far

 

[Drewy]

A storage combi is a perfect compromise. Problem is it wouldn’t fit in the same position the existing boiler is fitted.

 

[ash121]

A storage combi is a perfect compromise. Problem is it wouldn’t fit in the same position the existing boiler is fitted.

Could it be located elsewhere?

 

[Riley]

Yes. All of these things are relocatable in 95% of cases. Your limit is your budget.

 

[ash121]

Yes. All of these things are relocatable in 95% of cases. Your limit is your budget.

Apologies i thought it was something separate that would connect to the boiler🙄

 

[Riley]

Apologies i thought it was something separate that would connect to the boiler🙄

No it’s one huge boiler with a small water store built into it

 

[Riley]

No it’s one huge boiler with a small water store built into it

Well I say huge it’s not but it’s a damn site bigger than a normal boiler

 

[ash121]

Well I say huge it’s not but it’s a damn site bigger than a normal boiler

Haha no worries, thanks for all your help and advice and others, will buy a flow gauge and report back on the flow rate

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Easy way to test how long to fill a 1l bottle for 16lpm your looking for around 4 seconds maximum